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(No Model.)

J. G. MEHAFPEY.

FOLDING TABLE.

N0. 318,79. Patented May 26, 1885.

INVBNTOR, faw B ATTORNEY.

WITNESSES:

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JAMES C. MEHAFFEY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

FOLDING TABLE.

SvPECIE'ICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.318,779, dated May 26, 1885.

Application filed August 18, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES C. MEHAFFEY, of Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding Tables, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention consists in hinging a pair of rectangular frames that are adapted to fold inward longitudinally upon and to the under surface of the table-top. These frames are provided with braces-one for each leg of the frameand are also hinged and adapted to be folded to the under surface of the top, except when the said frames or legs are in a position to support the table. Thesaid frames are provided with hinges at their center for a transverse fold, and when they are in position for supporting the table they form a right angle to the surface thereof, and are held thereat by reason of the unsecured ends of the braces being placed within suitable bifurcations at the lower extremities of the legs, where they rest upon the surface which supports the table, and by reason of the weight of the latter they are securely fixed in position, and can only be displaced therefrom by removing the weight of the table.

The invention consists, further, in constructing the table-top in two similar sections that are hinged together, so that when the be fore-mentioned frames and braces are folded to their surfaces the top sections may be closed together, and thereby present the very compact and durable form of an elongated cube or box, the objects sought for being to produce a comparatively simple table that may be cheaply constructed, for the use of picnics, camp parties, &c., but more particularly it has been designed for the service of paper hangers.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

Figure l is a perspective View of my table inverted, showing the parts unfolded. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of the same and exhibits the table partly folded. Fig. 3 is the form of the table when fully folded. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the table, and Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of one side thereof.

In constructing my improved table the two sections are provided upon corresponding edges with hinges D, and a bordenstrip, G, is run around the edge of each. Notches O are cut in this strip, to allow the cross-bars A of the leg-frames to snugly lie in contact with the under surface of the table-top H. These cross-bars are also provided with hinges D at the center of their length, so that when the supporting-legs B and the braces O are folded to the table-surface, as shown in Fig. 2, they will not interfere with folding the whole apparatus to the form of aboX, as shownin Fig. 3. The said braces O are hinged at D to the under side of the table, and are adapted, when the legs B are opened out, to form rigid stays therefor by reason of their disconnected ends being placed within the bifurcations E at the lower extremity of the legs B, in which position they will hold the said supporting legs rigidly at a right angle to the surface of the table-top, as shown.

\Vhen it is desired to use my table as an adjunct to paper-hanging, I attach to each side of one end thereof a small bracket or projection, L, that is provided with a central perforation, to allow the wire or rod K to be inserted therein for the purpose of suspending a roll of paper while it is being manipulated upon the table-top.

If desirable, suitable perforations may be made through the bifurcated ends of the legs B and the within contained ends of the braces O, in which pintles may be inserted.

I am aware that tables have been constructed with folding top sections and hinged braces for longitudinally-folding legs, and that others have been made with leg-sections having a single cross-bar that is centrally divided. I therefore disclaim such.

Vhat I claim as new, andfidesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a folding table, the top sections, raised border-strips encircling the} edge of each, rectangular supporting-frames hinged to fold inward longitudinally upon the under surface of the top, their cross-barsj resting in notches formed in the strips connecting the top sections, and being severed upon a central line and provided with hinges to allow of a transverse fold in closing the said top sections together, bifurcations in the lower extremities of the said frames, and braces hinged to the under surface of the top for engaging such bifurcations, all combined and arranged substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 10 presence of two witnesses.

JAMES C. MEHAFFEY.

Witnesses:

HENRY D. ASHLEY, O'r'ro BEOKENBAOH. 

